Safety razor

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a magazine for use in a safety razor. The magazine includes a ribbonlike blade element of uniform width having a longitudinally extending rear edge and a parallel sharpened shaving edge. The magazine also includes support and control mechanism for selectively increasing the tensional stresses on the blade element for a shaving operation. Adjustment mechanism is included in the magazine for adjusting the shaving geometry of the sharpened shaving edge.

United States Patent 145] Patented [72] Inventor [S4] SAFETY RAZOR 8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

[SI] lnt.Cl B26bZl/26 [50] Field of Search 30/40.l

[S6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,453 733 7/1969 Dawidowicz 30/401 q W l,

FOREIGN PATENTS 369,043 6/1963 Switzerland Primary Examiner-Othel| M. Simpson Attorney-Newton, Hopltins & Ormsby also includes support and control mechanism for selectively increasing the tensional stresses on the blade element for a shaving operation. Adjustment mechanism is included in the magazine for adjusting the shaving geometry of the sharpened shaving edge.

Paten ted Aug. 10, 1911 3,597,840

2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOIZ OLIVER C. FORE HAND M2 Om:

ATTORNEYS P a tented Aug. 10, 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOE SAFETY RAZOR BAckoRooND OFTHE INVENTION I There are several types of magazines, containing ribbonlike, blade elements, for use on a safety razor at present. However, all of the known types of magazines are unreliable inproviding a fixed support of the blade element during the shaving operation, thus allowing unwanted movement of the sharpened cutting edge to nick or cut the shaver. There arealso several types of magazines, containing ribbonlike blade elements, for use on a safety razor at present which provide for an. adjust- OBJECTS OFTHE INVENTION It is a primary object of this invention to provide a magazine support means for a ribbonlike blade element which will hold the blade element in a position fixed against movement in any direction during a shaving operation.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a magazine support means for a ribbonlike blade element which is capable of effecting an increase in the tensional stresses of the blade for a shaving operation.

A still furtherobject of this invention is to provide a magazine support means for a ribbonlike blade element which includes a cyclically operable adjusting means for effecting a degree of adjustment of the blade element relative to a shaving zone to present an unused sharpened edge to the shaving zone for each cycle of operation.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a magazine support for a ribbonlike blade element which includes a control means capable of effecting an increase inthe tensional stresses of the blade element in response to the cyclic operation of a blade adjusting mechanism.

Ari additional object of this invention is to provide a magazine support means for a ribbonlike blade element which includes an adjusting mechanism capable of effecting ah ad? 'justment of the geometry of the blade element sharpenededge.

' A still further object of this invention is to provide a a magazine support means for a ribbonlike blade element simple in construction and operation, economical to manufacture, and reliable in operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawing wherein'like reference numerals indicate like parts in the various views: v

FIG. I is anexploded perspective view of a safety razor :holder and magazine-type blade supportconstructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the safety razor holder and magazine-type blade support shown in FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section view of the safety razor taken I along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2; I

. FIG. 4 is a vertical section view of the safety razor taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3 illustrating the released position of latched position. i a 1 v v These figures and the following detaildescription disclose specific embodiments of the invention, however, theinventivc concept is not limited thereto since it may be embodied in other forms.

2 DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, the safety razor will be described with reference to a holder member in which a magazine support element 30 can be releasably secured. The razor structure is generally of the type shown in US. Pat. No.

3,375,578 to Nissen issued Apr. 2, I968.

Referring now particularly to FIG. I, the safety razor holder member 10 includes a handle portion 11 and a head or magazine receiving portion I2. Rotatably mounted on head portion 12 is a blade-advancing lever 13 which includes an advancing head 14 having formed thereon an advancing lug 15. The advancing lever is releasably held in a home position (FIG. 2) by a spring element 16 engaging a recess notch I7 (FIG. 1). Located on an upper surface of handle portion 11 is 'a heel portion 18 detailed to support a magazine-retaining releasably secure a'magazine support element between head lip element 20 and handle heel portion 18. Magazine support element 30 includes a base portion 31 and a cover portion and cover). Supported within magazine 30 is a ribbonportion 32 which are adapted to be releasably connected together by a series of tab elements 32a (only two of which are shown in FIG. I, but it is to be understood that cover 32 would include a series of tabs detailed in spacing around the edge of cover 32, reference is again made to US. Pat. No. 3,262,l98 for a detailed tab connection system between a magazine base like blade element 33 having a longitudinally extending rear edge 34 and a parallel sharpened shaving edge 35. Blade element 33 includes a coillike supply end 36, and an opposite takeup end 37. A series of elongated slotlike openings 38 is formed-and spaced along the length-of blade element 33. Blade element 33 is detailed in a supported relationship to in- .clude a shaving portion 39 bordered on the takeup end 37 by a used portion 40 and-on the supply end by an unused portion Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1 4, and 5, the blade supply support means includes a circular-shaped cavity 42 for holding the blade supply end 36. The ribbonlike blade element I is directed from cavity 42 through a cavity notch 43 and'along fan upper directed guide path 44 (FIGS. 4 and 5) formed between magazine base portion 31 and cover portion 32. As unused portion 41 of blade element 33 leaves guide path 44 it e is directed horizontally along a shaving zone 45 between a setakeup mechanism 60. Formed on magazine base portion 31 adjacent an upper edge of each of the blade guide paths 44 and 49 is a leveled projecting element 50 detailed in shape to fit within blade openings 38, when the blade is in a tensional shaving position.

Reference now particularly to FIGS. .1, 3, 4, and 5, the blade element takeup mechanism includes a cylindrical shape takeup reel 61 supported for rotation by an integrally formed axle element62. A first end 63 of axle element 62 is journaled in a cover portion opening 64 and a second end 65 is journaled in a base portion opening 66 by way of a driving cam opening 77 and hub portion 78.

Formed in the cylindrical surface of takeup reel 6I is a blade-receiving notch 67 to be used in connecting the takeup end 37 of'blade element 33 to takeup reel 6I. Also integrally formed on the takeup reel 61 is a series of ratchet teeth 69 and an outwardly biased tab stop element 70. Tab stop element 70 is detailed in design to engage a series of ratched teeth 71 formed on an inside surface of magazine cover portion 32 when in an assembled position as shown in FIG. 3. Ratchet teeth 71 are radially formed on cover portion 32 around cover opening 64, the radius of which corresponds to the radius of takeup reel 61. The operative association of tab stop element 70 and cover portion ratchet teeth 71 is detailed to permit a counterclockwise rotation of takeup reel 61 but block a clockwise rotation of reel 61 (FIG. 3). As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the takeup reel ratchet teeth 69 are formed on an inside surface of takeup reel and adjacent an extended edge thereof.

Joumaled on takeup reel support axle 62 by the opening 77 is a driving cam element 72 including a hub portion 78 which is journaled in the magazine base portion opening 66. Driving cam element 72 includes a radial camming lobe 73 and a radially biased driving dog 74. Cam driving dog 74 has formed thereon an axially directed driving lug 75 and an oppositely directed cam groove follower 76. In the assembled position as shown in FIGS. 35, the driving cam element 72 is supported in such a manner that cam driving lug 75 will operatively engage takeup reel ratchet teeth 69 to impart a counterclockwise rotation of takeup reel 61 by a counterclockwise rotation of driving cam element 72 (FIG. 4). Cam driving element cam groove follower 76 is detailed to engage a cam groove 80 which includes a groove camming portion 81. Rotation of cam groove follower past cam groove camming portion 81 will effect an inward camming of cam driving dog 74 to a position shown in FIG. 4, to thereby disengage driving lug 75 from takeup reel ratchet teeth 69. Formed on the driving cam hub portion is a stop element 79 detailed in design to operatively engage the advancing lug of blade-advancing lever 13. From the above description, it is obvious that clockwise rotation of blade-advancing lever 13 (FIG. 2) will effect a counterclockwise rotation of driving cam element 72 and takeup reel 61 (as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5) to thereby advance blade element 33 along shaving zone 45. The size of takeup reel 61 is detailed such that one cycle of rotation of advancing lever 13 will effect a degree of blade advancement sufficient to present an unused blade portion to the shaving zone.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, the bladetensioning mechanism 82 includes a latch element 83 pivotally supported by a shaft 84 having its opposite ends journaled in openings 85, 86 (FIG. 3) of magazine base portion-and cover portion 31, 32, respectively. Latch element 83 includes a cam follower arm 87 and a latch arm 89. Formed integrally with latch element 83 is an outwardly projecting leaf spring element 93 which is supported in such a manner as to be in operative engagement with a stud 94 fixed to base portion 31. Latch element cam follower arm 87 is detailed in design and supported in such a manner as to ride along the peripheral surface ofdriving cam 72.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, rotation of driving cam 72 to effect a driving of takeup reel 61 will cause cam lobe 73 to engage latch element cam follower arm 87 thereby causing latch element 83 to rotate counterclockwise (FIGS. 4 and 5) from a released position (FIG. 4 to a blade latch-tensioning position (FIG. 5). Leaf spring element 93 will cause latch 83 to return to a released position when cam follower arm drops off of cam lobe 73. Latch arm 89 includes a latch head 90 having formed thereon a latch projection 91 detailed in design to be inserted in one of the blade openings 38 when in latched or tensioning position (FIG. 4). The latch head 90 is detailed in size to pass through notch feed opening 43 of supply cavity 42 as the latch a one cycle of rotation of advancing lever 13 from a home head moves from a latched to a released and back to a latched position and back to a home position will effect in sequential order, movement of latch element 83 to a blade-released position, movement of cam driving dog 74 to a takeup-recl-driving position, rotation of takeup reel 61 an angular distance to effect a degree of blade 33 advancement to present an unused shaving portion to the shaving zone 45, movement of cam driving dog 74 to nondriving condition by groove camming portion 81 and return blade latch element 83 to a bladelatched and tensioning position by cam lobe 73. The takeup reel tab stop element 70 and cover portion ratchet teeth 7| will prevent the takeup reel 61 from reversing direction or unwinding upon movement of cam driving dog 74 to a nondriv ing position. With the takeup end 37 of blade 33 fixed against an unwinding movement, it is obvious that as latch projections 91 engage a blade opening 38 and moves counterclockwise (FIGS. 4 and 5), the corresponding movement of blade 33 will increase the tensional stresses of blade 33. As the tcnsional stresses of blade 33 is increased, selected blade openings 38 will move inwardly and downwardly to engage projections 50 adjacent guide paths 44 and 49 and at the same time other blade openings will engage similar projections 102 formed on the upper surface of exposure adjustment mechanism blade 100. The relationship of blade openings 38 and projections 50 and 102 are detailed to lock blade 33 against movement in any direction during a shaving operation. Releasing blade 33 from a tensioning position will allow the blade openings 38 to slide over the beveled projections 50 and 102 during a blade ad vancement.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, the blade element exposure adjustment mechanism is supported in such a manner and selectively operable between three blade exposure positions to increase or decrease the amount of blade exposed for a shaving operation by changing the exposure angle or shaving geometry of blade 33. The above adjustment is accomplished by a vertically adjustable blade contact element 101 having formed on its upper surface the series of beveled projections 102. As shown in FIG. 4, adjustable contact 101 is supported beneath blade 30 in a magazine base portion recess 103. Adjustable contact 101 has a curved uppcr surface downwardly curved from a line of centrally located projections 102 and is supported in such a manner as to contact blade 33 substantially midway between blade rear edge 34 and sharpened edge 35 as seen in FIG. 3. Formed on the underside of adjustable blade contact 101 is a downwardly directed recess 104. Recess 104 is directly above a complimentary recess 105 formed in a magazine support base portion. journaled for rotation between recess 104 and recess 105 is an elliptically shaped cam 106 detailed in design to separate adjustable contact recess 104 from recess 105 when rotated to thereby adjust contact 101 vertically. Rotation of cam 106 is effected by a pair of spaced, rearwardly projecting arms 107 (only one of which is shown). The projected ends or arms 107 are connected (by any conventional means) to a vertically adjustable plate 108. Vertical adjustment of plate 108 is effected by a blade exposure adjustment lever 109 having its opposite ends journaled in openings 110, 111 of magazine base portion and cover portion, respectively. One end of lever .109 includes an offset cam 1l2journaled for rotation in vertically adjustable plate 108. Rotation of offset cam 112 effects a vertical displacement of plate 108. Lever 109 also includes a lever arm 114 and a pointer element 115 selectively positionable to one of the indicating marks 116 formed on magazine cover 32 as seen in FIG. 1. Reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 3,375,578 for a more detailed description of an exposure adjusting lever including an offset cam and vertically adjustable plate. As shown in FIG. 3, a vertical adjustment of contact element 101 will force blade 30 up against blade holddown contacts 47, 48 and as the upper surface of contact 101 moves past the lower surface of contacts 47, 48, a curved deformation of blade 33 will be effected to thereby change the exposure angle or shaving geometry of blade 33 relative to a shaving zone guard element 45a.

like blade element of uniform width having a longitudinally extending rear edge and a parallel sharpened shaving edge, the

- improvement comprising, in combination:

a. A shaving zone formed on one area of said magazine; b. Support means formed on said magazine and operatively associated with said blade element for supporting'sa'id blade element on said shaving zone in such a manner as to present said sharpened edge in an extended shaving rela tionship;

c. a cyclically operable takeup element supported on said magazine and operatively associated with one end 'of said blade element for effecting a degree of takeup. of said blade along said shaving zone to present an unused shaving edge to said shaving zone during each cycle of operation of said takeup element; i

d. a blade supply support means on said magazine and operatively associated with said blade element other end for housing an unused blade portion; r

e. a cyclically operable blade tensioning means supported on said magazine for operation between a tensioning posi tion and a released position and operatively associated with said blade element for effecting an increase of the tensional stresses on said blade element when in said tensioning position; and 1 f. control means supported on said magazine and operativeopenings when in said latched position to be removed therefrom when in saidreleased position.

4L For use in a safety razor, a magazine as described in claim 3, further characterizedin that said control means includes a cam element fixed to said takeup element and wherein said cam element is detailed in design and supported in camming relationship with said latch element to effect a camming of said latch element from said blade-holding position to said released position and back to said blade-holding position during each cyclic operation of said takeup element.

' 5. For use in a safety razor, a magazine as described in claim ,4, further characterized in that said blade element support means includes shaped projections detailed in design to engage said blade openings in response to an increase in the tensional stresses on said blade element and to disengage said blade openings in response to a decrease of the tensional stresses on said blade element.

6. For use in a safety razor, a magazine as described in claim I I, further characterized in that said blade element support means includes an adjusting means operatively associated with said blade element for effecting an adjustment of said blade element extended edge.

For use in a safety razor, a magazine as described in claim 7, further characterized in that said blade element support means includes fixed blade contact means detailed in design andsupported in such a manner as to contact said blade element on an'upper exposed surface and adjacent said rear edge and adjacent said sharpened edge to provide an uncontacted blade portion therebetween and wherein said adjusting means provided with an adjustable blade contact means detailed in vdesign and supported in such a manner as to contact said blade element on a lower surface opposite said fixed blade contact means and on a portion of said blade substantially ly associated with said blade-tensioning means and said I cyclically operable takeup element for moving said tensioning means from said tensioning position to said released position and back to said tensioning position in response to a cycle of operation of said takeup element. 2. For use in a safety razor, a magazine as described in claim 1, further characterized in that said tensioning means includes a pivotally mounted latch element detailed in design to engage and hold said bladeelement when in said tensioning position and to release said blade element when in said released position.

midway between said blade rear edge and said blade sharpened edge, said adjusting means includes adjusting mechanism operatively associated with said adjustable blade contact means for effecting an upward adjustment of said adjustable blade contact means along a plane disposed at an angle to the plane of said blade element to force said blade element up against said fixed contact means, the degree of upward adjustment of said adjustable blade contact means being sufficient to cause a curved deformation of said blade element to thereby adjust the shaving geometry of said extended sharpened edge.

thereof and wherein said adjustable contact means includes a Y shaped projecting portion detailed in design to engage one of said blade openings in'response to an increase in the tensional stresses on said blade element and to disengage said blade openings in response to a decrease in said tensional stresses. 

1. For use in a safety razor, a magazine containing a ribbonlike blade element of uniform width having a longitudinally extending rear edge and a parallel sharpened shaving edge, the improvement comprising, in combination: a. A shaving zone formed on one area of said magazine; b. Support means formed on said magazine and operatively associated with said blade element for supporting said blade element on said shaving zone in such a manner as to present said sharpened edge in an extended shaving relationship; c. A cyclically operable takeup element supported on said magazine and operatively associated with one end of said blade element for effecting a degree of takeup of said blade along said shaving zone to present an unused shaving edge to said shaving zone during each cycle of operation of said takeup element; d. A blade supply support means on said magazine and operatively associated with said blade element other end for housing an unused blade portion; e. A cyclically operable blade tensioning means supported on said magazine for operation between a tensioning position and a released position and operatively associated with said blade element for effecting an increase of the tensional stresses on said blade element when in said tensioning position; and f. Control means supported on said magazine and operatively associated with said blade-tensioning means and said cyclically operable takeup element for moving said tensioning means from said tensioning position to said released position and back to said tensioning position in response to a cycle of operation of said takeup element.
 2. For use in a safety razor, a magazine as described in claim 1, further characterized in that said tensioning means includes a pivotally mounted latch element detailed in design to engage and hold said blade element when in said tensioning position and to release said blade element when in said released position.
 3. For use in a safety razor, a magazine as described in claim 2, further characterized in that said blade element includes a series of openings longitudinally spaced along the length thereof and wherein said latch element includes a projecting portion detailed in design to be inserted in one of said blade openings when in said latched position to be removed therefrom when in said released position.
 4. For use in a safety razor, a magazine as described in Claim 3, further characterized in that said control means includes a cam element fixed to said takeup element and wherein said cam element is detailed in design and supported in camming relationship with said latch element to effect a camming of said latch element from said blade-holding position to said released position and back to said blade-holding position during each cyclic operation of said takeup element.
 5. For use in a safety razor, a magazine as described in claim 4, further characterized in that said blade element support means includes shaped projections detailed in design to engage said blade openings in response to an increase in the tensional stresses on said blade element and to disengage said blade openings in response to a decrease of the tensional stresses on said blade element.
 6. For use in a safety razor, a magazine as described in claim 1, further characterized in that said blade element support means includes an adjusting means operatively associated with said blade element for effecting an adjustment of said blade element extended edge.
 7. For use in a safety razor, a magazine as described in claim 7, further characterized in that said blade element support means includes fixed blade contact means detailed in design and supported in such a manner as to contact said blade element on an upper exposed surface and adjacent said rear edge and adjacent said sharpened edge to provide an uncontacted blade portion therebetween and wherein said adjusting means is provided with an adjustable blade contact means detailed in design and supported in such a manner as to contact said blade element on a lower surface opposite said fixed blade contact means and on a portion of said blade substantially midway between said blade rear edge and said blade sharpened edge, said adjusting means includes adjusting mechanism operatively associated with said adjustable blade contact means for effecting an upward adjustment of said adjustable blade contact means along a plane disposed at an angle to the plane of said blade element to force said blade element up against said fixed contact means, the degree of upward adjustment of said adjustable blade contact means being sufficient to cause a curved deformation of said blade element to thereby adjust the shaving geometry of said extended sharpened edge.
 8. For use in a safety razor, a magazine as described in claim 7, further characterized in that said blade element includes a series of openings longitudinally spaced along the length thereof and wherein said adjustable contact means includes a shaped projecting portion detailed in design to engage one of said blade openings in response to an increase in the tensional stresses on said blade element and to disengage said blade openings in response to a decrease in said tensional stresses. 